The latest crime statistics presented by Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia raise serious concerns about accuracy, completeness and transparency, especially during the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children, Lisa Schickerling MP – DA Spokesperson on Police, said last week.

“While the DA notes a marginal decline in murders and attempted murders, the stark reality remains that violence affecting women and vulnerable groups is increasing and key information is missing,” she said in a statement.

Even though SAPS records crimes against children none were presented. Failing to release this data is a serious omission that prevents communities and Parliament from understanding the true scale of the crisis, according to the DA.

A major discrepancy appears between SAPS’ categories:
SAPS “contact sexual offences” category reports only 170 to 196 cases
SAPS rape statistics for the same period show 6 559 in Q1 and 7 204 in Q2

“This inconsistency raises a critical oversight question. If SAPS reports two different sets of figures for sexual violence, which data stream should the public trust?” Schickerling asked.

Small percentage drops hide extreme levels of daily violence

SAPS highlights a slight reduction in murder and attempted murder, but the real scale remains ‘severe’. During Q2 alone:

5 270 murders equals 58 murders per day, or 2.4 murders per hour
5 519 attempted murders equals 61 per day
7 204 rapes equals 78 rapes per day, or more than 3 every hour
32 854 cases of assault GBH equals 365 serious assaults per day, or 15 per hour
4 784 carjackings equals 52 per day

“This is not a picture of communities feeling safer. It is a country experiencing constant and severe violence,” Schickerling said.

High volume violence is increasing, not decreasing

SAPS’ own numbers show:
Rape increased by almost 10 percent
Assault GBH increased by 5.2 percent
Carjackings increased by 2.4 percent

“This means more people are being attacked, injured or sexually violated. A slight reduction in murder does not offset the escalating violence in categories that mainly affect women and children,” Schickerling said.

SAPS acknowledges massive underreporting but fails to reflect this in the public narrative

According to the Stats SA Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey:
32.5 percent of assaults are not reported
42.4 percent of home robberies are not reported

These are exactly the categories that dominate contact crime totals, the DA pointed out.

“Given the data gaps, contradictions and omissions, how can South Africans trust any of SAPS’ reported GBV figures? Furthermore, what is the SAPS plan to fix the escalating levels of rape, assault and violence that women and children face every day?” Schickerling asked.

“If almost half of these contact crimes are never reported, the true scale of GBV and child violence is significantly worse than SAPS figures indicate. This is why the DA calls for accurate crime statistics. They show where the problems are, guide where resources should go and expose failures so that action can be taken. Omitting child crime from the records leaves communities blind and vulnerable. The DA deems this as a failure of transparency and accountability and a betrayal of the communities who are most at risk,” the party concluded.

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The numbers were supplied to Marina van Zyl, a Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP), by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia.

The 100 criminal acts in total were all reported to police, he informed her, adding two were successfully prosecuted. Van Zyl’s question did not include details of successful prosecutions or a provincial breakdown of where the crimes were committed.

No differentiation is given between “municipal employees” and “officials” in the Ministerial reply which had it the highest number of murders – 26 – was recorded for “municipal officials”. The “municipal employees” murder numbers were half those of “officials” in the same timeframe.

Twenty-nine “employees” were assaulted, seven laid intimidation charges and four received death threats.

Twenty-one cases of assault, death threats and intimidation – seven for each category were reported to police by “officials”.

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This calls for a complete forensic overhaul of the South African Police Service (SAPS), backed by independent oversight and accountability measures to restore professionalism, transparency, and public trust in policing, according to Ian Cameron, Democratic Alliance (DA) Deputy Spokesperson on Police.

He said the Madlanga testimony “exposed a national crisis in SAPS’s forensic and ballistic systems.”

The DA pointed out that the first SAPS ballistic report on these same weapons contained multiple factual errors, missing analyses, and even the wrong case numbers.

The national head of ballistics, Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela, admitted the original report was “error-riddled” and had to be rewritten several times by the same analyst, Captain Itumeleng Makgotloe, whose mistakes were defended as “typos.”

Pages were replaced, affidavits resubmitted, and at least three versions of the same report were filed — all before critical evidence was verified.

“Even more disturbing, evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson SC highlighted that Makgotloe appeared to have known of the guns’ links to other murders months before the case was registered on the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS), raising concerns that organised crime networks within or connected to SAPS may have accessed or influenced forensic information,” Cameron said.

“Such conduct reflects more than incompetence — it signals systemic corruption and manipulation of evidence at the heart of SAPS’s crime intelligence and forensic functions.”

The DA subsequently called for an independent forensic and ballistics audit of all major SAPS casework from the past five years; comprehensive skills development in the Forensic Science Laboratory to restore technical standards and eliminate political interference; and immediate integrity testing and lifestyle audits of the top 100 SAPS generals and senior managers, starting with those in the Detective Service, Forensics, and Supply Chain.

“If integrity testing is not enforced, nothing else will change. South Africans cannot expect justice from a system where ballistic evidence can be altered, delayed, or leaked to criminals,” Cameron concluded.

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The Western Cape had the highest number of confiscated firearms, and KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng ranked second and third.

According to Dr Guy Lamb, a political conflict lecturer at Stellenbosch University, the vast majority of illegal firearms circulating in South Africa are sourced from within the country.

Lost and stolen handguns, mainly pistols and revolvers, make up the majority of guns on the illegal market.

“They’ve been lost or stolen from licensed firearm owners, and they’re probably the greatest source of illegal weapons,” Lamb said. “Every year, there are anywhere between 6 000 and 8 000 civilian firearms that are legally held that are lost or stolen.”

Also, about 1 800 firearms are lost and stolen from police, military, or other state entities. In 2016, former Gauteng police colonel Christiaan Prinsloo confessed to selling thousands of firearms to Cape Flats gangs, including some semi-automatic and automatic weapons.

Last year, GroundUp reported on inconsistencies in the record-keeping of lost and stolen state-owned firearms.

Lamb said that criminal groups might also establish private security firms as a means to access firearms.

Some weapons flow into South Africa from neighbouring countries. In late August, nine people appeared in a Windhoek court for stealing firearms, including AK-47s, from a Namibian military armoury and attempting to smuggle them into South Africa.

According to a report by Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, one of the ways these weapons are smuggled is through trucks carrying fresh goods, such as flowers or fruit.

More than 40% of murders in South Africa are carried out with firearms. According to Gun Free South Africa, a non-profit organisation, 33 people are murdered with guns in the country daily on average.

To address the illegal firearm market, Lamb said there needs to be targeted policing operations to confiscate firearms and measures in place to reduce their loss or theft. For example, in the past, SAPS has held firearm amnesties, where people can surrender illegal or unwanted guns without fear of prosecution.

He also said there can be better security for SAPS 13 stores, the rooms where confiscated weaponry is held in police stations. Gun Free South Africa has called for tighter control over licensed firearms held by state and civilian users and proper stockpile management with regular audits.

Written by GroundUp and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.

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“This is indeed a tragedy where the protectors of our criminal justice system are not safe anymore. This is unacceptable and no stone should be left unturned to bring the culprits to book,” he said.

According to reports, Ms Brown was ambushed and shot multiple times by four armed assailants while sitting in her car, in full view of her partner and child. “The brutal nature of this assassination-style killing is deeply disturbing and represents a direct attack on the justice system and those who serve it with dedication and courage,” emphasised the Chairperson.

This incident follows the tragic murder of Ms Elona Sombulula, a court official at the Engcobo Magistrates Court, in April this year. The committee is gravely concerned by what appears to be a pattern of targeted violence against officials within the justice sector.

Mr Nqola stated: “The murder of Ms Brown is not only a devastating loss to her family and colleagues, but an attack on the rule of law in South Africa. Prosecutors serve at the forefront of our fight against crime and corruption. When they are targeted, it threatens the foundations of our constitutional democracy.

“The committee sends its heartfelt condolences to Ms Brown’s loved ones and colleagues during this painful time. The committee also calls on law enforcement agencies to prioritise the investigation and ensure that those responsible are swiftly apprehended and face the full might of the law.”

He said the portfolio committee will engage with the Department of Justice and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on urgent measures to enhance the safety and security of prosecutors and court officials across the country.

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This comes as Mtontsasa community members in Flagstaff have raised the alarm over policing failures, including that officers shut the gates of the local police station at night.

The brazen attack on the family and the alleged slow response by the police has led to many residents’ complaining about having to stand outside and give statements to an officer through the gates. They also complained about limited police vans.

Earlier this month the community was rocked by the brutal murders and attacks on a local gogo and her family.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Welile Matyolo on Tuesday confirmed that eight people had broken into a homestead and shot a 65-year-old woman and her grandson, killing them both.

The woman’s two granddaughters were raped and another grandson, who was also in home with his girlfriend, was stabbed. Babalwa (name changed), the girlfriend, was also raped during the home invasion.

Matyolo told GroundUp that the suspects drove off with the family’s vehicle, kidnapping one of the granddaughters. She was later found in a nearby village.

On Tuesday, he said that one of the eight suspects had been arrested and charged with house robbery, assault, rape and the double murder. The investigation is continuing.

Speaking to GroundUp, Babalwa became emotional as she recalled the attack. “I thought they were going to kill us all,” she said. “I’m not coping. I get nightmares. I’m scared to sleep. My life is not the same but I’m trying to be strong.”

What made matters worse, she said, was that when she ran to the Mtontsasa police station for help after the incident, she found the gates were locked.

“I shouted for an officer to open. Those three minutes I waited felt like hours. I was so scared, I kept on looking around.

“I thank God the criminals were not following me, otherwise they would have caught me while standing at that gate,” said Babalwa.

After she informed the officer what had happened, Babalwa said the officer told her to return to the house and wait for a police van because there were no vans available to drive with them to the scene. When the police officers eventually arrived at the house, they instead accused one of the sons and took him in for questioning. He was released the following morning.

The family say they are frustrated and are demanding answers from the police.

Ward committee member Mabhala Ngxono said, “Crime is too much in these villages. Women are being raped, and arrests take forever. We have taverns that open 24 hours and seven days a week, but nothing happens.”

“The sad reality is that once street patrollers act and take the law into their own hands, police are quick to respond by targeting community leaders.”

Community leader Sinethemba Hlomendlini said he met with the police management in Mtontsasa in May. “We raised a lot of concerns about the lack of services and visible policing. The police assured us that they will do better. Maybe their better means locking themselves up at night at the time when most crimes are happening,” he said.

Asked why the police station’s gates remain closed at night, Matyolo said it was part of a “contingency plan” for small police stations to increase security.

He denied that there was an issue with insufficient police vehicles in Mtontsasa unless one of the vehicles is being repaired.

Matyolo urged the community to report any complaints about the service to the Station Commander.

This article was republished with permission from GroundUp, the original article can be found here.

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The suspects, aged between 20 and 35 years, were arrested on 17 May 2025 in Dobsonville, Soweto. The operation was conducted by a multi-disciplinary police unit of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation units from Vaal Rand and Pretoria, with the help of JMPD, EMPD, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team.

One of the homes was where a white VW Polo, which is suspected to have been used in the ambush, was recovered. Additional leads had officers search another home where two firearms were recovered one of its serial number scratched off and another turned out to be the official firearm of the late JMPD member.

The police officer was gunned down on 15 May when he responded to an attempted robbery at Extension 1 in Vlakfontein’s Winchester Street. The initial reports indicated that the officers had seen and were walking towards the suspect vehicle. However, the suspects had opened fire, rendering the officer fatally injured and making off with the officer’s service pistol. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The first two suspects, both 27 and 25 years old, were apprehended shortly after the crime had been committed. All five suspects are already standing trial on charges of murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice. They will appear before the Lenasia Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 19 May 2025.

A grim trend: Police officer killings on the rise

This latest attack adds to a deeply concerning trend of on-duty fatal attacks against police officers in South Africa.

According to the 2023/2024 annual crime report by the South African Police Service (SAPS), 73 police officers were killed between April 2023 and March 2024, where most of the killings occurred while performing official duties, like responding to robberies, stopping vehicles in traffic, and making arrests. This was up from the 64 officers killed in the prior year.

Of the total, 29 officers were killed while in service, and the remaining were off-duty when they were slain. The majority of these attacks were noted in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, where Gauteng was a chronic leader among provinces with the highest police fatalities.

Commenting on this alarming trend, Gauteng Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, praised the work concerted towards the speedy arrests:

“The message is clear; attacks on peace officers will not go unpunished. The rapid response and dedication of this multidisciplinary task team are to be applauded. We will continue to pursue individuals who endanger peace officers and hold them accountable to the full extent of the law,” said Maj. Gen Kadwa.

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) and Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) have previously called on the government on several occasions to include assaults on the police as treason or as a national priority crime, arguing that attacking the police compromises the democratic state and public security.

Stolen police firearms fuel crime wave

The theft of the slain officer’s service pistol also points to another worrying trend: the diversion of state firearms into the hands of criminals. Between 2021 and 2023, over 700 police-issued firearms went missing or were stolen, the Civilian Secretariat for Police statistics reveal. The firearms often resurface in hijackings, cash-in-transit heists, and contract killings, placing police and civilians in greater danger. As a response, safety plans and multi-disciplinary task units like the one in this probe have been introduced by the SAPS and metro departments to crack down on gun-running syndicates and organised crime cells. Critics say, however, that more proactive community-based intelligence and internal accountability processes are needed to prevent such tragedies.

Call for better protection and equipment

Security experts and policing lobby groups have also urged an intensification of work to improve the working environment of members, including increased intelligence coordination, tactical training, availability of protective gear, and trauma debriefing for members.

The SAPS Budget Vote for 2024 also includes R2.4 billion for crime prevention and police visibility, some of which will go towards increasing officer safety and improvements in technology.

With the nation in mourning once again for a lost officer, pressure continues to be placed on legislative and operational reforms to silence the violence directed at those who serve and protect.

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Releasing the statistics on 25 November, the Minister emphasised strides made under the 7th Administration, which is working to transform the SAPS into a modern, efficient, and community-centered institution.

From July to September 2024, crime trends began to show a general decline, with serious crimes reducing by 5.1%. Notable decreases were observed in murder, rape, aggravated robbery, and property-related offenses, although attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm saw slight increases. These mixed results underscore the importance of sustained efforts to address both violent and organized crime, noted the Minister.

Operational successes during this period included dismantling drug laboratories, arresting individuals involved in illegal mining and cash-in-transit heists, and confiscating significant amounts of firearms, ammunition, and drugs. Convictions have also increased, with 265 life sentences issued for serious crimes and substantial penalties for those involved in organized and economic crimes.

Despite these achievements, the Minister stated challenges still persist, including high levels of gender-based violence, organized crime, corruption, and the need for improved forensic and intelligence capabilities. The Ministry has emphasized the importance of harmonizing crime and corruption strategies, focusing on community involvement, and aligning efforts across provincial and national levels.

The Minister stated government is committed to reducing crime and creating safer communities for all South Africans. This will require sustained collaboration across all sectors of society, along with ongoing dedication to addressing the root causes of crime and delivering justice effectively. The shared goal remains clear, believes the Minister, of “a secure, peaceful South Africa where all citizens can thrive without fear.”

The Democratic Alliance, in a statement, noted the improvements achieved by the SAPS, but stated the country still faces high rates of violence, with concerning increases in crimes against women and children. Annual data shows an 8.6% rise in murders of women and a staggering 33.7% rise in attempted murders of children. Further, commercial crime has surged by 18.5%, reflecting the growing prevalence of extortion.

Additionally, the DA praised the success of Operation Shanela, which led to over 260,000 arrests and significant seizures of firearms and drugs and underscores the importance of intelligence-led and high-density policing.

Provinces like Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo have made strides against illegal mining, drug manufacturing, and organized crime syndicates. However, gaps in crime intelligence, technology, and forensics remain critical obstacles noted the DA, alongside poor coordination across the criminal justice system and resource disparities among regions.

The DA further called on Minister Mchunu to acknowledge the systemic issues within SAPS management, calling for reforms to address inefficiencies and improve accountability.

The DA continues to call for the devolving of police powers to allow provinces and localized communities to address unique crime challenges more effectively. Emphasis is additionally placed on the enhancement of forensic capabilities, modernizing technology, and tackling the socio-economic drivers of crime to shift from reactive measures to prevention.

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The Sergeant was arrested following a lengthy investigation by Captain Keshi Mabunda on allegations that she was fraudulently benefiting from funeral, accidental and life policy covers from various banks and insurance companies.

According to investigations, she began her killing spree 2019. A statement from SAPS noted that her victims were known to her and were from disadvantaged backgrounds and some were mentally or physically disabled. It is alleged the Segreant would take out life insurance policies and funeral cover on behalf of the victims and would list herself as the beneficiary. Evidence shows she pocketed at least R10 million from her crimes.

Following months of investigation, the investigating team obtained a warrant of arrest, and the Sergeant was arrested while on duty at her station in Limpopo.

National Commissioner of Police General Masemola stated the involvement of a police officer in such heinous crimes was a disgrace.

“As a police officer you are entrusted with the safety and security of communities. For a police officer entrusted with such a great responsibility to be involved in such acts is an absolute disgrace. She abused her powers by insuring those that trusted her. This must send a strong warning to all involved that the long arm of the law will find you and catch you,” said General Masemola.

The Sergeant is expected to appear before the Polokwane District Court on six counts of murder and about seventeen cases of fraud on Friday, 11 October 2024.

Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu commended the outstanding work of the investigators following the arrest. He further commended Captain Keshi Mabunda for his exceptional work in dismantling insurance fraud syndicates.

“I want to take this moment to commend Captain Mabunda and his team for their tireless and meticulous work in bringing this rogue officer to justice. Their dedication to the rule of law and the protection of our citizens is an embodiment of the integrity we expect from the SAPS,” said Minister Mchunu.

The Minister further reiterated his department’s stance on corruption within the SAPS, saying, “I must strongly condemn, in the clearest possible terms, any acts of corruption, criminality, or betrayal by members of the police service. This arrest serves as a stark reminder that there is no place in the SAPS for officers who abuse their position of authority for personal gain or engage in unlawful conduct.”

“We will root out corruption and criminality from within the ranks of SAPS. Any police officer found to be involved in crime will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We will not tolerate such conduct, and we will continue to work tirelessly to restore the public’s confidence in our police service,” said the Minister.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Police, Ian Cameron, also commended SAPS for the arrest of the sergeant.

“The committee has always maintained that high moral and ethical standards should be maintained within the SAPS. Any officer that undermines the code of conduct that they undertook to uphold must be surgically removed from the service without delay,” Cameron stated. Cameron further said the arrest was an indication of the presence of hard working and efficient detectives who have undertaken intensive investigations that yield positive results.

In a statement, the committee noted it is hopeful the arrest will discourage police officers from breaking the very laws they are entrusted to uphold.

“We have seen a general increase in the arrest of rogue police officers by both the SAPS and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate which assures us that there is a commitment to holding everyone accountable,” said Cameron.

Mabundu also cracked the case of the now-convicted murderer, Rosemary Ndlovu, whose modus operandi followed a similar pattern. Ndlovu was a policewoman before being convicted of the deaths of six people – her live-in partner and five of her relatives – between 2012 and 2018.

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Buthelezi made the call during his first meeting with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan leaders held in Durban this week.

The meeting was also attended by representatives from the local houses across the 11 districts in the province.

During the meeting, Amakhosi (Zulu clan chiefs), through the House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders Chairperson, Inkosi Shinga, presented a list of issues they felt the MEC needs to look into, as he continues with his duties.

Buthelezi emphasised that Amakhosi in the province have a critical role to play in shaping the discourse around the institution of traditional leadership in the country.

“Our aim is to ensure that Amakhosi are treated with utmost respect, while being allowed to champion development for the communities. We will amass the requisite legal expertise to assist us in this process,” Buthelezi said.

“The killing of amakhosi has been a worrying scourge in our province. We’ll fight to end this and ensure the ultimate safety of Amakhosi,” said Buthelezi.

In January 2024, traditional leaders in the King Cetshwayo District called on government to come up with urgent solutions to curb the killing of Amakhosi and Izinduna in the province.

Secretary-general of Ubumbano Lwezinduna, Falendoda Malinga, told the Daily News: “We are hoping that the new leadership in KZN will prioritise the safety of traditional leaders, especially in KZN. We will continue to fight for the safety and well-being of our traditional leaders.”

“We have many izinduna [leaders] who have been killed in our province, but there are no convictions. We plead with police to thoroughly investigate such cases and bring the culprits to book.”

One of the possible reasons for the high number of killings is traditional leaders illegally selling land belonging to families in their areas.

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